Chapter 26
Hours had passed, and Theresa was still practicing the spell Lucas had shown her.
Her breathing came heavy, sweat glistening on her brow as she steadied herself on her knees.
"Why is your spell so difficult?" she groaned between breaths.
"You mean this one?" a calm voice said.
Ethen stood beside Slime, whose eyes flickered blue once again.
Lucas clapped his hands, smiling. "My goodness... you truly are a quick learner, Master."
"Show off," Theresa muttered, cheeks puffed as she turned away.
Ethen stepped forward, his tone even. "Listen. The spell isn't complex... it's truth itself. Each particle that forms magic is also part of the spell's creation. But to create this one… you must first destroy your own magic."
He raised his hand, a soft blue light swirling around her. "Recover."
"Thanks," she said, rising to her feet. "Now… let's go again."
She closed her eyes. Flames flared around her body, coiling and snapping with raw energy.
"Good start," Ethen said, stepping back. "Now… see all that energy erased."
Theresa opened her eyes, the air humming around her. "Alright… here we go."
She looked down at her burning hand. "Erase."
In an instant, the fire vanished, the energy snuffed out as though it never existed.
"Incredible…" Lucas whispered, stepping closer. "That's the first form of the ability. Now you—"
"Thanks," she interrupted softly, eyes glowing white. "But this will do."
The light around her shimmered, steady and alive. She turned toward the forest's heart.
Then, with one last look to Ethen. His silent nod granting permission. She leapt skyward, vanishing into the clouds.
The wolves and the royal kin gazed upward, their hearts held between hope and awe.
"Will Mother make it?" Solvian muttered.
"She will," Thessaria answered quietly, lowering her gaze to Ethen. "He wouldn't send her if she weren't ready."
Ethen grinned faintly, folding his arms. "You put too much faith in my sister. It's almost… cute. And what if I'm simply sending her to her death?"
"I know you, brother." Thessaria's voice stayed soft, her eyes unmoved. "If loyalty meant nothing to you, you would have left us when you were cast here. Yet… here you remain."
Ethen's eyes narrowed as she stepped closer. "That's the first time in four years you've spoken this much… or—"
He leaned in, his lips almost brushing hers, a smirk curling his mouth. "Could it be you're finally afraid of losing your precious mother?"
Gasps rippled through the wolves except for Thessaria, who stood still as stone.
"Mother won't lose, and you know it," she said coldly. "The real question is… did he intimidate you that much?" Her gaze flicked toward Prince Lucien.
Ethen's red eyes darkened. "Clever girl," he hissed, anger burning beneath his words.
"Like brother, like—"
"Stop that nonsense, sister," he cut her off sharply. "I may like you more than any of them here, but don't push me."
His hands lowered, body leaning closer, eyes now crimson and wild.
"Brother..." Solvian began, but Thessaria silenced him with a single raised finger, never breaking her gaze.
"You know I'm right," she whispered. "The moment they took her, we stopped mattering to you. You've been playing this ruler's role even among us."
She stepped closer still, pressing her forehead to his.
"Look me in the eyes… and tell me I'm still your favorite."
Ethen's breath caught. His lips parted, but no sound came. His eyes dropped, heavy with sorrow, fists clenching tight.
"I thought so," Thessaria said, stepping back, her voice calm but cutting. "She's the important one now, isn't she? Well… at least teach them well."
She turned away, fading into the forest's shadow.
"What was she talking about?" Princess Jessica asked, eyes wide.
Sophia looked down, her voice trembling. "It means… we never really knew Lord Ethen at all."
Her eyes glistened as she followed after Thessaria.
"Done!" Chris finally shouted, collapsing as the boulder rolled aside. Sweat streamed from him like rain.
He looked around, sensing the heaviness in the air. "I missed a lot, didn't I?"
"A lot," Lucas replied quietly.
Lucien, still on the training field, whispered to himself, "So… I was right."
Ethen exhaled, his spirit tired, the fire within dimmed. "Let's go see how the fight unfolds," he said, taking the lead.
Despite the silence and tension, they followed leaving Obsidian Panther alone in the cave.
Deep in the Forest
Dreadmane sat atop a large boulder, eyes lowered to the sea of corpses beneath him.
The air was thick with blood and silence.
Then, he felt it. The surge of power descending from above.
A smile curved his lips.
"Well, well…" he murmured, eyes glowing like embers. "Look who's coming. This should be delightful."
To be continued…